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LODGE AND ENTRANCE TO BELLE TERRE 



BELLE TERRE 



LONG ISLAND 




Its Whereabouts — Its Purpose 

Its Plans and Its Attractions 

Described with 

Pictures 



DEAN ALVORD COMPANY 

I 

MANAGERS 
111 BROADWAY NEW YORK CITY 






CC1.A2.'539G4 



COPYRIGHT I9IO BY 

DEAN ALVORD COMPANY 






f| HERE are fewer subjects of greater interest and less 
if intelligently written about than the evolution of 
the American home. In design, construction, and 
above all in environment, it has in some prosperous 
centers more than kept pace with man in his 
general development. Improvement in culture in 
America is undeniable, but it is most marked where 
Americans have sought spots of natural beauty to 
erect their own dearest shrines, the American home, 
as did the Greeks their temples. And those homes 
faster than the race itself are approaching the ideal. 
The builders of them in their increasing numbers 
indicate the growth of refinement which is by no means dependent upon 
wealth, but may find expression in innate, cultivated good taste. 

It is a far cry from the solitary log cabin of the fathers to the ordinary 
suburban community of to-day. From this to Belle Terre is quite as long a 
step in advancement. There is nothing quite like Belle Terre in the world; 
its inception, plan and execution present to the student of social science the 
achievement of the ideal, a perfect home amid perfect surroundings. The full 
measure of its worth can be known only to those who actually enjoy this dual 
perfection. "To live like a lord," the dream of many who have tried it, 
is there realized by those who wish it in its best sense. Belle Terre is a con- 
federation of private estates within a great one, where every landholder is a 
king with all the rights, privileges and enjoyments of the whole without any 
of its care or responsibilities save that of helping by vote to preserve a desirable 
membership. 



This is a natural outgrowth of what has gone before in the evolution of 
the country summer home. The colony idea is not new, but a colony on its 
own estate, a club colony, administered in conjunction with its club house for 
congenial society, the benefit of its residents and members, that all may enjoy 
ideal life at the seaside on the high plane of Belle Terre, is new and makes for 
evolution, culture and delightful social intercourse of congenial people. Its 
success was illumined by the brilliancy of the season just closed which was 
greater than previous seasons with promise of still more delightful summers to 
come. This result was almost instant proof that Belle Terre is a development 
along right lines, and the unapproachable beauty of the site called forth an 
immediate response by a large number of most refined people desirous of a 
country home with social advantages unobtainable elsewhere or in any other 
manner. Here are scores of people ot moderate means whose recognized 
social prominence is due to their refinement and lovable personality. The 
development of the Belle Terre idea appeals strongly to such people, and their 
exclusive community is drawing to them the best of all cities who desire a 
seaside home under such exceptional conditions. Every applicant must be 
eligible to club membership, but a desirable neighbor is heartily welcomed 
to the most delightful summer colony 'in America. 

This development from the ordinary suburban resort to the exclusive 
perfect summer colony owes much of its success to the rare beauty of the site 
chosen for the experiment and its nearness to New York. It is only eighty 
minutes away, easily reached by yacht, train or motor car. The bold, rugged 
character of the Belle Terre peninsular, jutting out from the north shore of 
Long Island, wood capped in all its primeval glory, seemed made by nature 
for the plan. Its thirteen hundred acres of diversified land needed but a touch 
of artistic landscaping here and there to enhance its appealing charms. Superb 
marine views meet the eye from every point. Winding roads, wide stretching 
lawns, the forest marshaled in effective lines soon transformed a wilderness into 
a great domain of park and woodland, where each building site is left with a 
most effective setting. 

The superb peninsula was cut off the main land by a wall cleft only 
by a stone lodge, which with its red roof, classic lines and massive old English 
gate of iron seems a part of the landscape of some ancient baronial estate. 
Within lies the private estate of every land owner of Belle Terre. Through 
the gate over wide, smooth roads he speeds to his home, be it palatial or 
modest, for both besprinkle hill and woodland with equal right to be called 
beautiful. The inexpensive and popular bungalow adds its touch of pictur- 
esqueness to the spots best fitted to give from their spacious porches the 
wonderful views of sea and rolling land enjoyed by their more pretentious 



neighbors. All blend in a vista of natural loveliness brought to perfection by 
the highest artistic treatment possible. 

Much is done for the community at large. Besides the many miles of 
riding and driving paths through the forest, made safe for women and children 
by reason of the wall and forest keepers, there is bathing from a private and 
well kept beach, golf to be played on a nine-hole, 3200-yard course under the 
supervision of a competent keeper, the enjoyment of tennis on perfect courts, 
and facilities for all sorts ot social intercourse at the club house. This is the 
most popular community feature of Belle Terre. The club house is one of 
the most complete in every respect in the world ; its appointments perfect. Many 
cottagers dine here, thereby greatly reducing the cares of housekeeping. Port 
Jefferson harbor, usually alive with yachts, lies in front of its commanding 
porches. Yachtsmen find it easy to come and go in their yachts. New 
England people come by daily steamer from Bridgeport. The Queensboro 
Bridge and fine roads make a quick, comfortable way to reach Belle Terre 
from New York by motor, and the Long Island Railroad, now a part of the 
Pennsylvania system, gives good service directly from its new station in the 
heart of New York. 

The pictures following give an idea only ot the scenic and physical 
attractiveness of the spot chosen for a community of perfect American country 
homes. That the time was ripe for such a radical departure from the ordinary 
suburban summer community has been amply proven by the number of socially 
prominent families from New York who have been joined by congenial residents 
of other places in carrying out the inception of the most exclusive and beautiful 
country home community it is possible to conceive of. A visit to the colony, 
which can be arranged through the management, is a delightful experience. 




THE 



TENNIS 



C O LI R T S 



AND 




The Club House, situated in the heart ot Belle 
Terre on a two hundred foot bluff", overlooks 
Port Jefferson Harbor and commands a panorama 
of the entire harbor and town, as well as of many 
miles down the north shore of the island. 

Guests ot the Club are at all times secure from 
the intrusion of the excursion and transient elements, 
as visitors are not permitted to enter the grounds 
of Belle Terre without invitation cards. The 
membership includes many very well-known men in 
tinancial, professional and commercial circles in 
New York and other large cities, and only those 
of good social standing are eligible. 



THE 



BELLE 



T E R R E 



CLUB 





MILES OF PICTURESgUE BRIDLE PATHS 



REPRESENTATIVE 







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PANORAMIC 



VIEW 





ELLE TERRt CLUB FACING HARBOR 






VIEW FROM CLUB VERANDA AN I) OF THE BEACH 



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VILLAGE or PORT JEFFERSON 

THE LODGE AND ENTRANCE 

WATER Tower 



old homestead 
nature's garden 



ELLE TERRE CLUB 



GOLF COURSE 




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O F 



T E R R E 




P E H G O L A ! 



BREAKWATER 




ON ENTERING BELLE TERRE 






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ROAD TO BATHING BEACH AND PIER 







THE BATHING BEACH AND 



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A PATH THROUGH BELLE TERRE S MOUNTAIN LAUREL 













Two voices are there ; one is of the 



One of the mountains j each a mighty 
voice. 

WORDSWORTH 



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